About this episode
Alex and Jim chat about their recent experiences with Chinese plug-in hybrids, particularly the Imoda 7, praising its rapid improvements, comfort, and unique fragrance system. They discuss the challenges of EV adoption among Chinese brands, comparing plug-in hybrids and EVs, and share candid thoughts on test driving and reviewing cars under tight schedules. The hosts also touch on hotel stay anecdotes, the nuances of automotive journalism, and tease an upcoming EV review that impressed them greatly.
Alex and Jim are once again back, and catch up on their recent very positive drive in the Omoda 7, a car which has a quite impressive fragrance system. Elsewhere, Jim has been talking Spanish to his Tesla and the Lotus Eletre gets a new subjective plug-in-hybrid variant.
Omoda 7
"They should have the fragrance system that you find in the Moda 7 that we drove last week, but... I thought the Imoda 7 was absolutely brilliant. it's like the evolution of like the JQ, the Imoda 9, JQ7."
The Imoda 7 is a type of electric car made by Imoda. It's newer and better than some other cars like it, with comfortable seats and a smooth ride.
The Imoda 7 is an electric vehicle model from the brand Imoda, known for its modern features and refinement. It represents a step up in quality and value compared to previous models in its class.
fragrance system
"They should have the fragrance system that you find in the Moda 7 that we drove last week, but... They should. Which one would you go for? Would you go for dark temptation or what was it? Forest?"
Some cars can spray nice smells inside so the air smells good while you drive. This is called a fragrance system.
A fragrance system in a car is a feature that releases pleasant scents inside the cabin to enhance the driving experience. Some modern vehicles offer customizable scent pods to create a more enjoyable atmosphere.
Omoda 5
"last week we drove the Imoda 7 and another Imoda, ⁓ a different Imoda 5, but we can't really talk much about that one."
The Imoda 5 is a different electric car from the same company that makes the Imoda 7. It wasn't talked about much here.
The Imoda 5 is another electric vehicle from Imoda, mentioned as a different model from the Imoda 7. It shares the brand's focus on electric mobility but was not discussed in detail in this segment.
7 Jq7
"...s like the evolution of like the JQ, the Imoda 9, JQ7. they always, I've said it in the video, but with..."
It's not clear what '7' means here, so it's hard to explain. It might be a type of car or model name, but more information is needed.
The reference to '7' is unclear without additional context, but it may relate to a model or concept car, possibly from a niche or less mainstream brand. Without more details, it's difficult to provide a precise explanation.
climate control
"I couldn't really think of anything wrong with it apart from there possibly wasn't enough physical buttons for the climate control, which is a usual complaint that we all have, but it's a solid car."
Climate control is how a car keeps the inside warm or cool. Some cars have buttons you press to change the temperature or fan speed.
Climate control in a car refers to the system that manages the interior temperature and airflow, often allowing automatic adjustment to maintain a set temperature. Physical buttons for climate control provide tactile feedback and ease of use compared to touchscreen controls.
plug-in hybrid
"Yeah. Now that's obviously a plug-in hybrid and this is an EV podcast. Although we forget that quite often."
A plug-in hybrid is a car that can run on both gas and electricity. You can charge it by plugging it in, and it can drive some distance using only electricity before using gas.
A plug-in hybrid is a vehicle that combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery that can be charged from an external power source. This allows the car to run on electric power alone for a limited range before switching to hybrid mode.
EV drivetrain
"How do you think an EV version of that car would go down? And do we think they're as far along with their EV drivetrain as they are with their hybrid system?"
An EV drivetrain is the system that makes an electric car move. It includes the motor and battery instead of a gas engine.
An EV drivetrain refers to the electric motor, battery, and related components that power an electric vehicle. It replaces the traditional engine and transmission found in gasoline cars.
Omoda 5
"The only EV cherry products I've driven is the JKU E5. haven't driven the Emoda E5 yet."
The Emoda E5 is a newer electric car from the Chinese company Cherry. It has modern features and design.
The Cherry Emoda E5 is another electric vehicle from Cherry, representing a newer or different model in their EV lineup. It is noted for its design and technology features.
driver information display
"And we know that little driver information display, possibly not the one from that car, but the one that's in some of their others is in BYDs. I thought the one in the Emota 7 was really really high resolution."
The driver information display is a screen in front of the driver that shows things like how fast the car is going and how much fuel is left.
A driver information display is a digital screen located in front of the driver that shows important vehicle data such as speed, fuel level, and other driving information. Its resolution and readability can vary between models.
infotainment screen
"I like the infotainment screen, but the driver information display, just, and I feel like it's stuff that could be resolved with software rather than anything else."
The infotainment screen is a big touch screen in the car that helps you play music, get directions, and control other features.
An infotainment screen is a central touchscreen in a car that controls entertainment, navigation, and other vehicle functions. It is a key interface for driver interaction with the car's systems.
MPG figures
"The only thing I noticed in that car, which I forgot to mention in the video, is the MPG figures are so complicated. Yeah, no, there's always, you've got like three numbers, haven't you?"
MPG figures tell you how far a car can go using one gallon of gas. Some cars show several numbers because they can run in different ways.
MPG figures refer to miles per gallon, a measure of fuel efficiency indicating how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. Some hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles display multiple MPG numbers reflecting different driving modes.
EV
"So we're not really doing much EV stuff lately, I've just had an EV this week though."
An EV is a car that runs only on electricity instead of gas, so it doesn't pollute the air when you drive it.
EV stands for electric vehicle, a car powered entirely by electricity stored in batteries, producing zero tailpipe emissions.
Tesla Model
"I've just had an EV this week though. I've had the Tesla Model Y performance. and I thought it was pretty fab."
The Tesla Model Y Performance is a fast electric SUV that can go really quickly and has lots of tech features. It's a version of the Model Y that is made to be sportier and more powerful.
The Tesla Model Y Performance is an all-electric compact SUV known for its impressive acceleration, long electric range, and advanced technology features including Autopilot. The Performance variant offers enhanced power and sportier handling compared to the standard Model Y.
Tesla Model 3 Performance
"I just thought to drive the model three performance was a, was a lot better, cause it's a lot more chuckable, a lot more nice to drive."
The Tesla Model 3 Performance is a fast electric car that can go really quickly and is fun to drive. It's a special version of the Model 3 made for better performance.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance is a sportier, higher-performance version of Tesla's popular electric sedan, the Model 3. It offers quicker acceleration and more agile handling compared to the standard Model 3.
Hyundai Ioniq 5N
"...u can have a little bit of fun in it. It's not an IONIQ 5N, no, by any stretch of the imagination, but it is..."
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an electric car that looks cool and can charge its battery quickly. It has plenty of space inside and is fun to drive. People like talking about it because it's a good example of a modern electric car that's easy to use every day.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a compact electric crossover known for its retro-futuristic design, fast charging capabilities, and spacious interior. It offers a balanced mix of performance and practicality, making it a strong competitor in the growing EV market. Discussions often highlight its driving dynamics and advanced technology features.
Nissan Qashqai
"And it may be that there's a car where you just have one. rather than having your practical car, you your Nissan Qashqai and then your BMW Z4."
The Nissan Qashqai is a small SUV that many people use for everyday driving and family trips because it's roomy and easy to drive.
The Nissan Qashqai is a compact crossover SUV popular for its practicality, efficient use of space, and comfortable ride. It's often chosen as a family or daily driver vehicle.
BMW Z4
"And it may be that there's a car where you just have one. rather than having your practical car, you your Nissan Qashqai and then your BMW Z4."
The BMW Z4 is a small sporty car with two seats that people like to drive for fun because it handles well and looks cool.
The BMW Z4 is a sporty two-seat roadster known for its sharp handling, strong engines, and stylish design. It is often used as a fun weekend or performance car.
0-60 time
"I mean, it's insane mode now rather than ludicrous mode, but yeah. my Lord. 3.3 second, 0-62 or 0-60."
0-60 time tells you how fast a car can speed up from stopped to 60 miles per hour. The lower the number, the faster the car.
0-60 time is a common measure of a car's acceleration, indicating how many seconds it takes to accelerate from a standstill to 60 miles per hour.
ludicrous mode
"And it may be that there's a car where you just have one. rather than having your practical car, you your Nissan Qashqai and then your BMW Z4. Yeah. You've just got one car that can, can do it all. And I mean, the performance is ludicrous, it? I mean, it's insane mode now rather than ludicrous mode, but yeah."
Ludicrous mode is a special setting in some Tesla cars that makes them go really, really fast when you press the accelerator.
Ludicrous mode is a high-performance acceleration mode available on certain Tesla vehicles that maximizes power output for extremely fast 0-60 mph times.
Tesla Model 3
"...e. No, no. When I was with, when we drove the new Model 3 Standard a few weeks ago, I was with Graham for m..."
The Tesla Model 3 is a car that runs only on electricity, so it doesn't use gas. It's known for being easy to drive and having a long battery life, which means you can go far before needing to recharge. People talk about it because it's helping more people switch to electric cars.
The Tesla Model 3 is a popular all-electric sedan known for its impressive range, performance, and advanced technology features. It has played a significant role in making electric vehicles more mainstream and accessible. Discussions often focus on its driving experience, software updates, and affordability compared to other EVs.
CPU and GPU
"Apparently the update for it on the Tesla's is quite big. But also the CPU and GPU in those Tesla's are really quite advanced."
The CPU and GPU are like the brain and the artist of a computer inside the car, helping it think fast and show things on the screen.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) are key computer processors in Tesla vehicles that handle computing tasks and graphics rendering, enabling advanced features and fast software updates.
BMW i3
"did you see that the BMW i3 is supposed to be revealed on the 18th of March? Yes. And I was told that yesterday that I was going to be seeing it in a couple of weeks."
The BMW i3 is a small electric car that can charge quickly and drive far on a single charge. It's designed to be eco-friendly and easy to drive in cities.
The BMW i3 is an electric city car known for its distinctive design and use of sustainable materials. The upcoming model is expected to feature fast charging capability and extended range.
Lotus Eletre
"It's the Lotus Electra plug-in hybrid. They've re-engineered it to be a plug-in hybrid. I don't think it's a proper plug-in hybrid. I think it's a range extender. They've given it a 939 horsepower. There's a two litre four cylinder engine and then it's still got a 70 kilowatt hour battery pack."
The Lotus Electra is a sporty car that runs mostly on electricity but also has a small gas engine to help it go further when needed.
The Lotus Electra is an electric sports car from Lotus, known for its lightweight design and performance. The new version is a plug-in hybrid with a range extender engine and a large battery pack.
kilowatt hour
"There's a two litre four cylinder engine and then it's still got a 70 kilowatt hour battery pack. So it's more of an EV first than anything else."
A kilowatt hour is a way to measure how much electricity a battery can hold, like how much fuel a gas tank can hold in a regular car.
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy commonly used to measure the capacity of electric vehicle batteries, indicating how much energy the battery can store.
Volvo V60
"I've got Volvo V60 in this week. That's come today."
The Volvo V60 is a type of car that looks like a station wagon and is known for being safe and comfortable. It can use different types of engines, including ones that use both gas and electricity.
The Volvo V60 is a mid-size luxury wagon known for its safety features, Scandinavian design, and comfortable ride. It is often available with various powertrains including mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
Ford Etransit
"Speaker 1: Yeah. When someone's bringing drinks around or something, it's just on the podcast. Speaker 2: I'll send them a requirements. you for that. Next week I've got the Igo X, which I'm actually quite looking forward to it. petrol hybrids, little city car from Toto. It's got a 30 litre fuel tank and apparently it can do 530 miles on a tank, which is bonkers. So I'm quite looking forward to that. Be quite good. And then after that, I've got the Ford e-Transit custom. Speaker 2: I've got a couple of commercial vehicles coming up and one of them is a electric Ford Transit, which would be quite good. So cool. Yeah."
The Ford E-Transit is a big van that runs on electricity instead of gas. It's used by businesses to carry goods and helps save money on fuel while being better for the environment. People talk about it because it's one of the first electric vans from a big company.
The Ford E-Transit is the all-electric version of Ford's popular Transit van, designed for commercial use with zero emissions. It offers practical cargo space and electric powertrain benefits like lower running costs and reduced maintenance. It's often discussed in the context of electrifying commercial fleets.
petrol hybrid
"Next week I've got the Igo X, which I'm actually quite looking forward to it. petrol hybrids, little city car from Toto."
A petrol hybrid car uses both gas and electricity to run. This helps it use less fuel and pollute less.
A petrol hybrid is a vehicle that combines a traditional gasoline engine with an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Ford Transit
"And then after that, I've got the Ford e-Transit custom. I've got a couple of commercial vehicles coming up and one of them is a electric Ford Transit, which would be quite good."
The Ford e-Transit Custom is a big van that runs on electricity instead of gas. It's used by businesses to carry things and helps the environment by not making pollution.
The Ford e-Transit Custom is an electric version of Ford's popular Transit Custom van, designed for commercial use with zero emissions and a practical electric driving range.
Lucid Air
"...n a big empty van and I can see if I can get some air in it. And I did. ⁓ but it sort of landed a bit l..."
The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can drive very far on a single charge and is very fast. It has a lot of cool features inside to make the ride comfortable and enjoyable. People talk about it because it shows how electric cars can be both powerful and luxurious.
The Lucid Air is a luxury electric sedan that emphasizes long-range capability and high performance, competing directly with premium EVs like the Tesla Model S. It features advanced battery technology and a spacious, high-tech interior. It's often discussed for pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology and luxury.
Ford Transit Courier
"And then they've got the little Diddy one, the Transit Courier."
The Ford Transit Courier is a small van that runs on electricity, used for carrying small loads around cities.
The Ford Transit Courier is a smaller commercial van from Ford, designed for urban deliveries and lighter cargo. It is available in electric versions as well, catering to environmentally conscious businesses.
Chevrolet Volt
"...some stuff from Renault coming up. with their 800 volt fans, which would be quite interesting to see. Bu..."
The Chevrolet Volt is a car that can run on electricity but also has a gas engine for longer trips. This means you can drive on electric power for a while, and if the battery runs out, the gas engine helps you keep going. People talk about it because it was one of the first cars to do this.
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine to extend driving range. It was one of the first widely available PHEVs and helped popularize the concept of electric driving with backup fuel support. It's often referenced when discussing the evolution of electrified vehicles.
solid state batteries
"It said solid state batteries in the press release. Seen that. No, have. Yes. Semi solid state. There's a lot of solid state."
Solid state batteries are a new kind of battery that use solid materials inside instead of liquids. This makes them safer and able to store more power for electric cars.
Solid state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid or gel electrolytes found in traditional lithium-ion batteries. They promise higher energy density, improved safety, and faster charging times, potentially revolutionizing electric vehicles.
Mg4 Urban
"...Speaker 2: I, if it's anything, I think it be the MG4 Urban. Yeah. Because that car in China has got solid st..."
The MG4 is a small electric car that's not too expensive and good for driving around the city. It can go a good distance on a single charge and has useful features for everyday use. People talk about it because it's a cheaper way to get an electric car.
The MG4 is an affordable electric hatchback from MG, targeting budget-conscious buyers looking for practical EV options. It offers competitive range and features for its price segment, making it popular in markets like China and Europe. Discussions often focus on its value proposition and urban usability.
Kia Stonic
"... sure. Speaker 1: I think they've got both in the stonic as well actually. Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah. A manual..."
The Kia Stonic is a small SUV that's easy to drive and has a nice look. It can come with a stick shift, which some people like for more control. People mention it because it's a practical and affordable car for city driving.
The Kia Stonic is a subcompact crossover SUV known for its stylish design, efficient engines, and user-friendly features. It appeals to urban drivers seeking a versatile and affordable vehicle. Conversations may include its available manual transmission and trim options.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.